Real-time information pilot on Queensland buses delayed until 2012

Eight months after announcing plans for a 12-month trial of a real-time passenger information system on Queensland buses, the state’s transit authority, TransLink, is completing final preparations to begin the trial in early 2012.

The trial, part of the state government’s $11.4 million Customer First project, was first outlined in May 2010 and will investigate which types of information delivery are most useful to TransLink customers to inform a wider scale roll out of the technology.

Despite originally being slated for commencement in November 2011, a spokesperson for TransLink told Computerworld Australia the system design had been finalised and the wiring and hardware brackets were currently being added to the 124 Clarks City Logan buses on which the trial will be conducted. However, the installation of the real-time hardware and trial wouldn’t occur until early next year with data to become available to passengers from mid-2012.

“The system is designed to deliver real-time information on bus locations and arrival and departure information direct to customers,” the spokesperson said. “It will also provide useful information to our bus delivery partners to help them in the day-to-day management of their fleets.”

According to the spokesperson, if the trial is successful TransLink also intends to roll the system out across all South-east Queensland buses and ferries.

“The system is being designed to be compatible with other real-time systems to allow future integration with rail and light rail real-time systems.

“Real-time information will primarily be displayed at the point of travel via monitors on buses and at bus stops and stations, but also via TransLink’s standard and mobile websites.

“Audio next stop announcements will form part of the on-bus information and TransLink is investigating the installation of on-demand audio announcements for the kerb-side displays.”

German transport company, INIT, won the tender to create the system and has previously installed similar systems in Vancouver, Dublin and Dubai.

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